Charles Irving Fay, Chaplain - Lt. Colonel, Retired

Charles Irving Fay was born August 6, 1928, in Baytown, Texas, to Mr. Christopher Fay and Mrs. Clara Steen Fay. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown and held an M.Th. degree from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Sam Houston State University. He married Macey Burke Casey of Baytown in 1948, and they reared three children.

Colonel Fay’s career as a Marine, Navy and Army chaplain spanned more than 25 years. His posts included two years with the First Marine Division, one year of which was in Korea; two years with the Military Sea Transportation Service; two years with the 250th General Hospital located at Brooke Army Medical Center; and five years of foreign service in Germany, Vietnam and Korea working with military personnel and dependents in personal, community and school affairs.

Colonel Fay was a much-decorated officer. His awards included the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, Republic of Viet Nam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Valorous Unit Award.

After retiring from active duty, Charles served for several years as chaplain to the Austin and Brenham State Schools and the Travis County jail. In these roles he continued to exercise his extraordinary gift for service to people in crisis from every walk of life. He served the poor and the sick, the stressed and disabled. And they loved him extraordinarily, all of them—the raw recruits, combat veterans, burn victims, convicts, special-needs kids.

He is survived by Macey Burke Casey Fay, his wife of 62 years; daughters Gay Fay Kelly of Austin and Cathleen Suzanne Fay of New York, N.Y.; son LTC Charles P. Fay USAF-MC of San Antonio; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. In lieu of flowers, the family asks Charles’ friends to remember him when they fly the flag on Memorial Day.

To share memories of Charles with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com